In the News..

Three primary schools have been awarded a 2024 START Competition Trophy by University of Galway for using randomised trial methodology to answer a question related to their environment or lifestyle.  The Schools Teaching Awareness of Randomised Trials (START) is an annual competition encouraging children throughout Ireland to learn about healthcare decisions and how health and well-being can be improved by learning about randomised trials. Sometimes called clinical trials, randomised trials are a type of research study often used to find out if a new medicine or treatment works. The three schools awarded for their research projects are: Holy Family Senior National School, Swords, Co Dublin came in the third place with the randomised trial: “Does being on a device affect your sleep?” The young trialists randomly divided participants into groups, some on devices before bed, and others who were not. Their trial involved the support of parents who had to check how quickly their child fell asleep. Their results indicate that having a device before bed negatively affects children’s sleep. Coolmeen National School, Kilrush, Co Clare claimed second place for their trial: “Do children learn more when working in groups or doing independent work?” The students randomised their fellow schoolmates into two groups with a spinner wheel. Using a standard test for both groups, one group completed the test independently and the other group in teams of two. The children concluded that working as a team or independently resulted in similar test scores, showcasing the importance of varied learning approaches. Duleek Girls National School in Co Meath went home with the award for first place after the girls investigated the question: “Does 10 minutes of daily ambulatory activity have an effect on the speed and mood of 10-year-olds?” Activities like jogging, walking, and sprinting were tested, and the children’s emotions were recorded. This school concluded that among all tested activities, walking was the most efficient way to improve speed and mood. The school children were commended for their activities, including for writing letters to President Michael D. Higgins, Minister for Education Norma Foley T.D. and former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. about the importance of ambulatory activity. Professor Declan Devane, Scientific Director of the HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network at University of Galway, said: “We started this competition for two reasons. Firstly, we wanted to raise awareness of the importance of randomised trials with children. Secondly, we wanted to harness the creativity and imagination of children in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of trials. The high standard and variety of applications we receive each year demonstrate that the START Competition has indeed raised the awareness of randomised trials and capitalised on children’s innate ability to explain difficult concepts clearly and in a fun way.” Dr Sandra Galvin National Programme Manager of the HRB – Trials Methodology Research Network, said: “Since the competition’s inception in 2016, the questions that the children come up with every year amaze the team. Typically, they focus on an aspect of their own lives in the classroom, working together to create the trial, while also having a lot of fun. The curiosity and creativity of their bright young minds means they usually challenge our concepts and get us to think more creatively.” The START Competition website provides tools needed to allow children and teachers to create their own randomised clinical trial in the classroom. It also addresses key aspects of the current school curriculum in several subjects including Mathematics, Science, SPHE and ICT. The three shortlisted schools were selected by four judges: Iseult Mangan, former primary school principal Cloghans Hill National School, Ballina, Co Mayo, (2017 START winner) and teacher; Aisling Murray, St Joseph’s National School, Kinvara, Co Galway and teacher of the 2018 START Competition winning class; Professor Shaun Treweek, Professor of Health Services Research, University of Aberdeen, UK; and Sarah Chapman, former Knowledge Broker at Cochrane UK. Iseult Mangan said: ”Participating in the START competition sees classes adopt a fun project-based approach which aligns to key aspects of the curriculum. It allows a class to collaborate and work as team encompassing so many different individual talents from design thinking and organisation to maths and creative display. The three shortlisted schools showcased their understanding and execution of clinical trials in really creative ways with teamwork and fun was evident in each of them.” Professor Shaun Treweek said: “The START competition challenges children to design, do and describe a randomised trial. Every year children from across Ireland smash that challenge in spades, and do so with enthusiasm, breathtaking creativity, and laughter.  The competition is a glorious inspiration to everyone– children, teachers, and researchers alike.” The competition is supported by the Health Research Board, through the HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN), Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), and is part of the celebration of International Clinical Trials Day across five collaborating university partners: University of Galway, University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and the University of Limerick. For more information about the START competition and how it transforms classrooms across Ireland into hubs of scientific exploration, please visit STARTcompetition.com. Stay updated with us on X @STARTSchools and Facebook at STARTCompetition. Ends

World Bee Day marked as public urged to monitor wild native Irish honeybee colonies World Bee Day on Monday May 20th is being marked by researchers at University of Galway with a quest for the public to support the monitoring of more than 500 wild and native honey bee colonies. The team of academics at the Galway Honey Bee Research Centre (galwayhbrc.com) aim to use the data being recorded and reported on the free-living bees as part of efforts to devise better strategies for their conservation. Citizen science has already supported the recording of 541 nests of wild and native honeybees – or Apis mellifera mellifera if you prefer - across the island of Ireland. Now researchers need data from ongoing monitoring which will be submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and further understanding survival of bees once thought to have been wiped out by the invasive parasite, Varroa destructor. The project, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, involves samples from wild colonies being compared to those from managed and historical ones, as well as studies of the ecology of the colonies, pathogen type and load and the genetics of the bees. Professor Grace McCormack, Head of the School of Natural Sciences at University of Galway, said: “When I first tried to embark on research into Ireland’s wild native honey bee, I was told they don’t exist. But they do and Ireland is the last stronghold for the black bee in Europe, which has been under threat from parasites, loss of natural habitat and biodiversity, climate change and hybridisation from imported bees. “Our quest now is to learn as much as we can about our bees; to monitor colonies and confirm that they have survived in the wild for more than two years. With the data that is provided by the public – our citizen scientists - we can devise conservation strategies.” The Galway Honey Bee Research Centre based at University of Galway is asking would-be citizen scientists to locate colonies - but not to report individual bee sightings - and for some people to become colony custodians, by regular monitoring and reporting on the survival of the colonies. How to tell a native Irish honeybee Black bees are smaller than a bumblebee. They are dark brown, almost black in colour, with narrow or no bands on the abdomen and can be seen foraging in damp or drizzly weather. How to tell a wild colony Free-living bee colonies are classed as having survived for more than two years in the wild - nesting outside a man-made hive/box. Wild honey bees are cavity dwellers and colonies can usually be found by observing the activity and noise of a large number of bees at a small entrance. Colonies are usually seen in elevated positions, a few meters high above the ground, in trees in old woodlands or in walls and roofs of buildings which is common in Ireland. Hive entrances have been found in unlikely places such as hollow statues, compost bins, bird boxes and graveyard crypts. For more information or to report a colony visit https://galwayhbrc.com/ Ends

Key policy proposals presented by a University of Galway journalism academic to the Oireachtas Taskforce on Safe Participation in Political Life have been adopted in the final report. The Oireachtas Task Force report on Safe Participation in Political Life was published this week by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl T.D. and Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Senator Jerry Buttimer. The report outlines comprehensive recommendations to address the pervasive issue of abuse and harassment faced by politicians, with a particular focus on protecting women and minority groups, enhancing security measures and holding social media platforms accountable for online abuse. Associate Professor of Journalism Tom Felle presented research findings about digital harassment and cyber abuse of female politicians to the expert group in September 2023. He emphasised the urgent need for robust measures to combat cyber violence against female politicians. His presentation highlighted critical research findings from University of Galway, demonstrating the pervasive nature of online abuse and its severe impact on women in politics.  Key Findings from the University of Galway’s research included: Approximately 96% of female politicians reported receiving abusive social media or electronic messages containing hate speech, foul language, and inappropriate comments 73% faced threats of physical violence, with 38% subjected to threats of rape or sexual violence 28% reported being verbally abused in public, including disturbing incidents such as faeces being thrown and threats of acid attacks One in five considered quitting politics due to online harassment, underscoring the chilling effect of cyber violence. Associate Professor Tom Felle’s key policy proposals are reflected in the Task Force’s recommendations, including: Security and Support: Improve cooperation with An Garda Síochána in the reporting and investigation of digital threats; and providing psychological support services to local representatives. Political Parties and Conduct: Equip election candidates with training to protect against abuse. Social Media Regulation: Coimisiún na Meán should fully utilise its powers to regulate social media platforms and address online abuse. Associate Professor Tom Felle said: "Adopting these critical measures is a significant step towards creating a safer and more inclusive political environment. By enforcing stringent regulations on social media platforms, enhancing security for politicians, and promoting respectful discourse within political parties, we can combat the pervasive issue of cyber violence against women. These changes will not only protect current politicians but also encourage more women to participate in political life, ensuring that our democratic institutions are truly representative of our diverse society.” The University of Galway and Associate Professor Felle remain committed to supporting efforts that promote a safe and inclusive political landscape for all. Ends